Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20 NEOLA Lyle is so good with kids. He is so kind and generous. The kids love him every time he visits the hospital because he dresses up. "Be a pirate!" Simon ask him. I watch as Lyle took his tie and put it over his eye. He menacingly looks at the kids and laugh. The kids laugh with him. "Être un prince (be a prince)." Rose says as she lean on her wheel chair. "Non! Pas un prince. He better be a pirate, " Simon defended, his voice raising. Lyle stares at the kids, confusion apparent on his face. "Mais c'est le prince! (But he is the prince!)" "je te dis, il n'est pas. (I tell you, he is not)" Simon stomped his feet, trying to win the argument. "Yes, he is not the prince, " Kendra supported him, holding Simon's hand. Lyle watch them, disappointment in his face seeing as they are not paying attention to him anymore. I know what they are talking about and he stood there clueless even though he can perfectly understand French. "Simon, Rose, " I stood between the both of them and said, "Stop fighting okay? Both of you are friends, right?" Simon and Rose nodded at me before they shake hands. Rose smiled while Simon shrug. "Kendra, why don't you just think of another character instead?" Kendra smiled at me even though her front teeth were missing. She twirled before she speak, "I'd love to make him a butterfly." Oh geez. * Today is the first time we will have our fieldtrip. The kids are so excited. I went to the hospital early enough to assist the nurses on preparing them. I guided them to the bus, and assigned them their name tags. I was so busy telling the kids to behave properly when Lyle appeared right there at the bus stop. "Lyle?" he bowed, taking off his hat. His hair is tied into a pony tail and I couldn't help but gush over it. He looks really hot. " Tata Nela, " Simon startled me as he called me like that. He sounded like Jacob. "he is not the prince, right?" I nodded my head at Simon's inquiry. I brush his cheeks as he hold my hand. "Nope, the prince hasn't return yet." "pourquoi (why)?" I shrug at his question before taking him up in my arms, "le temps nous le dira, (time will tell, ) bebé" he smiled at my endearment. The bus stopped and I was shocked to see Sebin, sitting by the bus stop. I squint my eyes and tried to rub them. Was it really Sebin? I am sure I saw him. His fake blonde hair can easily be noticed in the sunlight and that unmistakable blank stare. He can't be easily ignored, for he looks really odd. Lyle distracted me when he wave his arms like a crazy person. We slowly descended the bus and I pulled at Kendra's hand while Simon hold the other. Lyle smiled as he assisted the kids and together we guided them towards the entrance. I look around hoping to see Sebin again. He might be with Luke which is why they are here. Or maybe Luke has sent them to check on us. Either way, I hope I can see him again and ask. The other nurses smirked at me as they notice me looking around. I brush them off. Lyle was so helpful, he even played with the kids as they wait at the entrance with the other families. When the doors finally open, they were surprise at how magnificent the inside is. Lyle push the wheelchairs of the other kids and talk with the nurse. I guide the kids towards the tunnel and they are so happy to see the colorful fish. "Tata Nela, " Simon pulled my hand and abruptly left. I called Lyle to take Kendra from my arms before I followed Simon. The crowd of people flooded inside the great tunnel. I stand on my tiptoes, trying to spot the little tyke wearing a red beanie. I am about to head towards the end of the tunnel when I saw Edam. He was dressed in casual clothes. His red hair contrasted the blue tank. He made eye contact with me before he disappeared to a crowd of people. I wanted to follow him but Simon matters more. I need to find Simon, fast. I pass through the polar bear aquarium and sigh as I see him playing with the starfish. He fiercely dunk his hand, not afraid of what lies in the sand. "Simon." He looks up at me and smiled. "Tata Nela!" "Why did you run away, Simon?" "I saw the prince, Tata Nela. I saw him. He is here. He guided me to this aquarium, " He smiled down at the starfish and touch it once again, "He knows my name, Tata." His cheeks glowed, so red it looks like he is going to explode. Taking his hands on mine, I stirred him towards the polar bear aquarium. "Do you believe me, Tata? Why are you so quiet?" he ask, his eyes boring unto mine, "I don't know, Simon. That seems unlikely since the prince is not here. He's back in France." "mais il est là! pourquoi ne pas me croire? (But he's here. Why not believe?)" his rapid French made me lean down to his eye level. I inspected his eyes, so green he looks like a spitting image of Luke. I pat his beanie and said, "Alright then, I will believe you." He looks at me, his brows meeting in the middle. He lean closer, his forehead almost touching mine. "You promise?" "Oui?" he lean closer, his forehead now touching mine. His green eyes now crossed. He looks funny, "Really, truly?" "Oui." He nodded his head as if he was satisfied. Crossing his arms over his chest, he concluded, "Oh yeah. You love him, right?" His question caught me off guard. I stand and take his hand on mine, "You love him don't you?" "You love him right?" I pulled him towards the tunnel and sigh. "You really do. You love him, oui?" he repeated making me glare at him. " tu l'aimes. tu l'aimes. Tu l'aimes (You love him)" I watch as he dance around, attracting the attention of the teenagers taking pictures. He went towards them and pose for a picture. I laugh. " Tata loves the prince, tata loves him so much." He tells them. I pretended not to hear him as I drag him back towards the lobby. "Tu l'aimes." I shake my head at his stubbornness. " TATA LOVES THE PRINCE." * "He is so tired, he fell asleep, " I told Lyle as I balance Simon on my arms. We are at the great tunnel, enjoying the view of the vast ocean. Kendra was also asleep on his shoulders, lollipop on her hand. Lyle looks at me before he says, "Let us switch. Kendra is lighter than him." "Are you sure?" "Of course I am, " He offers up his hand and take Simon on his shoulder. With my arms free, I tried to take Kendra from him. She stirred so I stop, my hands freezing. "Slowly, Slowly, " I chanted, tiptoeing to reach her from Lyle's shoulder since he is so tall. But as the clumsy person I always have been, my toes slip and I end up bumping towards Lyle. He pulled me with his free hand. Simon is clutching Lyle's shoulder like a Koala while Kendra slipped down. My eyes widened, I prepared my arms to catch her but she did not fall. Lyle have secured her quickly. Breathing out a sigh of relief, Lyle put Kendra on my arms, slowly. I was surprise when Lyle lean down and kiss my forehead. "Thank God, you're alright." Oh geez. "Do you want to have some fruit shakes?" Lyle offered, his arms around Simon. "Well, yeah. If there is, " I answered silently, still processing what he just did. Why did he kiss my forehead like that? Why does he have to act like he cared so much for me? "Of course there is, " he pulled my hand. Surprising me of his actions. He stirred us towards the front and we stood in front of the stand. " I'll have two milkshakes, " I took some money from my purse but was surprise when Lyle have already paid for it. He offered me the milkshake and I took it. He led me towards a table and we both sat. "It's nice to just sit here with you, " Lyle blurted out making me choke on my milkshake. I sputtered and cough. Worried, Lyle soothed my back with his free hand, "Hey, are you okay?" "I am fine." I straighten from my seat, transferring Kendra on my other shoulder. "I hope you will give me a chance, " I frown at him, and decided to tell him the truth, "Lyle, I wanted to but I can't." "How so? Loisa if you wanted to, I can give you the life you always want. We can help kids and travel the words and do all the things we wanted to do. Things we have dreamed of in the past." He caressed my chin but I pulled away. "We can't do that, Lyle." I bit my lip, trying to control my emotion. Please don't provoke me, Lyle. I don't want to tell you the truth. I don't want to tell you that I am already engaged. I just want to have you as my friend. I just want to live as normal as I could before I become a royal. I wanted to tell him all this but I was rudely interrupted as Simon suddenly scream. "The prince!" 계속 * Heyoooooo! What are you doing guys?